Gamble, Kalil and Beason are all gone. At least Kuechly has been good in the middle. It looks like he was really just out of position in the first games. He's wrapping up well and it's shown against the run. Both Cowboys runningbacks didn't even average three yards. He's always around the ball, as evidenced by his interception and the fumble recovery.

Plenty of blame for other players, but the one single "what if" play is when James Anderson dropped a pick. That's a game changing play.

Godfrey and Captain have tattled on Rivera. They ran cover 4 the entire way and let the Bears run slants, the entire way. When had the Bears gotten deep? Not only had Norman covered well, but I don't think the Bears line could've stopped the rush for that long.

Rivera doesn't admit mistake though, here are some brilliant quotes:

“It’s one of those things where if you jump [the route] and they double-move you, now all of a sudden it’s a touchdown or the ball is in field goal range,” Rivera said. “We were trying to make them systematically beat us.”

@joeperson: Rivera said he would have liked to have seen corners,safeties play tighter on Bears' game-winning drive, when Panthers stayed in soft zone.

Isn't that what's he's paid to make happen?

This team must hate him by now. I can't see how they respect a guy who is 1-10 in games decided by a TD or less.

We survived another Nortman shank, some drops, penalties and bad route running. The offense did enough to win and Newton overcame that bloody thumb. There was also this:

I was impressed most by the defense. I don't want to make proclamations when Peyton Manning is headed to town but every level seems to be playing really well.

Greg Hardy has officially turned into a bonafide starter. He's surpassed last year's sack total in two games. He and CJ are taking the defense to a new level. Dwan has also put up his best sack totals in his career playing in our 4-3. It's awesome that Frank Alexander is looking good as well.

The secondary did well enough against a play action, option, dink and dunk offense. Josh Thomas specifically made a great play on the 4th and goal to string that play out.

Lastly the linebackers are looking a lot better than earlier this year. Thomas Davis' hit on RG3 was insane but probably not smart. Kuechly looked good but has room to improve. They contained RG3 for most of the game.

Most pivotal point in the game: goal line stand and then 98 yards for the TD to Smith. That was huge for this team.

It would require more energy than it's worth to talk about the offense. Totally pathetic.

I give the defense some credit for hanging around. They forced 3 fumbles while their offense went 3&Out seven straight times and 0/12 on third down the entire game. Keuchly is a beast as well. Ridiculous closing speed. Hardy also had a great FF on a hustle play.

Please bring in a coach that will give this offense some ******* balls.

Does anyone think that perhaps the Panthers should consider drafting an offensive tackle in the first, as opposed to defensive tackle? Lotulelei looks like a beast, but dear God we are horrible on the offensive line, and we need to assist Cam if we're ever going to be competitive in today's high-flying league.

Does anyone think that perhaps the Panthers should consider drafting an offensive tackle in the first, as opposed to defensive tackle? Lotulelei looks like a beast, but dear God we are horrible on the offensive line, and we need to assist Cam if we're ever going to be competitive in today's high-flying league.

It's possible. But would more time really help the receivers get open?

DT, OL, WR and FS are the biggest needs.

Good thing we have all those runningbacks to help take the pressure off Cam! Man, I just love having three guys that can't even be effective at the same time!

A primary concern is the depth at the positions in the draft. Defensive tackle is certainly deeper thus perhaps better to wait for. Kawann Short, John Jenkins, Jesse Williams, Sharriff Floyd, Sheldon Richardson could all easily be in play for the second round, whereas the offensive tackles still remaining in the second are likely locks for the right side. Of course we need a right tackle, but I'd prefer someone who could start off on the right but be bred as Gross's successor as well.

Of course addressing safety and wide receiver are key concerns as well, but I'm just not sure how we could go about that.

CHARLOTTE – Richard Rodgers, added to the Panthers coaching staff last offseason to assist Brian Murphy with special teams, has relieved Murphy as special teams coordinator, head coach Ron Rivera announced Monday.

"I have replaced Brian Murphy as the special teams coach with Richard Rodgers, the reason being philosophical differences and productivity," Rivera said. "Special teams is important, and we've got to find a way to be better at it."

Rivera informed Murphy of the decision at 7 a.m. Monday, then told the rest of his staff at an 8 a.m. meeting – a staff that is under the microscope with the Panthers falling to 2-7 and a new general manager on the way.

A primary concern is the depth at the positions in the draft. Defensive tackle is certainly deeper thus perhaps better to wait for. Kawann Short, John Jenkins, Jesse Williams, Sharriff Floyd, Sheldon Richardson could all easily be in play for the second round, whereas the offensive tackles still remaining in the second are likely locks for the right side. Of course we need a right tackle, but I'd prefer someone who could start off on the right but be bred as Gross's successor as well.

Of course addressing safety and wide receiver are key concerns as well, but I'm just not sure how we could go about that.

I don't think there is a premier WR like Green or Johnson so I doubt they pick one in the top 5. It's probably going to be a lineman, either DT or OL.

Depending on how high we are picking I'm sure the new GM will entertain the idea of trading down with a QB-needy team. Trading back a bit and drafting OT, WR/TE and DT in the first two rounds would be my preference.

Free agency and who is let go from this team will tell us a lot. They really need to move away from this stable of RBs. It doesn't help Cam at all.

Philly sucks but a wins a win. At least we got to see some of that old Cam. I think they allowed him to audible more. Definitely helped out. This offense has the tools but it has no offensive line. I'm in favor of drafting an OT first round... and then Ron Edwards went down and we're about to see what this defense would look like without another good DT.

If we could, I'd trade back and pick up another first, then draft OT, TE and DT in some order. I think another TE is better right now versus drafting a WR. A TE helps in the run game as well, which the new coach has to commit to. It just makes everyone better.

If there was any debate on what side of the ball is more in need of a first round pick it ended in that Chiefs game. I know the offensive line needs a complete upgrade but we made Brady Quinn look like Joe Montana out there. Please get Star in here Asap.

If there was any debate on what side of the ball is more in need of a first round pick it ended in that Chiefs game. I know the offensive line needs a complete upgrade but we made Brady Quinn look like Joe Montana out there. Please get Star in here Asap.

Ron Edwards was a bigger part of the defense than we knew. Fua is such trash. They probably flipped a coin to decide between him and MClain. Looks like they lost that toss as well...

In other news, Pete Prisco is being a dipshit about Cam again. He wrote about the pro bowl and how Cam apparently disrespected players there. If you watched the game you saw the AFC clearly ramp up their effort when Cam came in. Prisco cites unnamed sources that say he was cocky and aloof. Seemingly contradictory ways to act. Also, he dissed Ray Lewis apparently although Lewis wouldn't comment.

So there you have it. Cam goes for 7 TDs in two games, looks more involved in to the game and this is the news story that gets written about him. A story from the damn PRO BOWL. I'm pretty sure they just didn't like him running around on them. Everyone treated the game like a joke and then Cam took off a few times and they got pissy.

How can players talk about his attitude and **** on his reputation yet they won't put their names next to it? They sound like a bunch of sorority sisters talking **** about the new pretty girl at the formal.

Anyone else convinced Cam is the real deal? First player with 250 passing, 100 rushing, with 1 rushing and 1 passing TD.

He's leading the league in YPA and he doesn't even have a supporting run game or offensive line! He had 85% of the offenses production. Yea, the completion percentage could be higher but he doesn't make terrible decisions on a regular basis either. When he gets time to throw, I expect good plays. His timely runs are changing the offense but he's a pocket passer through and through. Get the man an offensive line and a committed run game so we don't need those 3rd & 11 heroics.

Oh, Keuchly had 16 tackles. I guess that's pretty good. Give him a stud DT to play behind and he'll be a perennial pro bowler. Seeing TD get the pick was great too.

Oh, and Greg Hardy is the most improved player on the team. DE, DT and punt coverage? He's mentally nuts, but his motor is the craziest thing about him.

Anyone else convinced Cam is the real deal? First player with 250 passing, 100 rushing, with 1 rushing and 1 passing TD.

He's leading the league in YPA and he doesn't even have a supporting run game or offensive line! He had 85% of the offenses production. Yea, the completion percentage could be higher but he doesn't make terrible decisions on a regular basis either. When he gets time to throw, I expect good plays. His timely runs are changing the offense but he's a pocket passer through and through. Get the man an offensive line and a committed run game so we don't need those 3rd & 11 heroics.

Oh, Keuchly had 16 tackles. I guess that's pretty good. Give him a stud DT to play behind and he'll be a perennial pro bowler. Seeing TD get the pick was great too.

Oh, and Greg Hardy is the most improved player on the team. DE, DT and punt coverage? He's mentally nuts, but his motor is the craziest thing about him.

He's slumped this season, but my confidence in him has yet to diminish. He has a generally bad supporting cast. He's used to successfully carrying a team on his back, and he still tries, but there is simply too much talent in the NFL for that to consistently work. As last year showed, he doesn't need a studly offensive cast to be successful, just enough to where he has some help.

Cam took a beating and made good decisions overall. The defense played decently well with a lead only surrendered points off a turnover. CJ and Hardy with two sacks each. That makes them the first 10+ duo since Peppers and Rucker. Kudos to them. They're getting it done without an interior help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

Greg Hardy! I had the biggest hard on for Greg when he was at Ole Miss. I'm so glad to see him doing well. I can't believe he fell so far in the draft, I wish the Giants stole him.

It's taken him longer than I expected to break out but he's been great this year. So happy to see that.

Yeah man, you've been a steadfast supporter of him since we drafted him.

He's rounding into a unique player who is certifiably crazy. He's improved against the run and the pass. He plays DE and now he's mixed into DT a lot more than his normal situational looks because of injuries. He also sprints down the field and makes tackles on punt returns.

If you haven't seen the video of him after the Falcons game, you should go look for it. It's hilarious.

Beef up the interior line and add more secondary talent and this defense is going to be beastly.

Kraken is getting some high praise:

Quote:

If you asked the average football fan which defensive line has two of the top four 4-3 defensive ends in terms of pass rushing productivity, it might take them a while to come up with the correct answer. Even if you gave them that it was the Panthers it would probably take them even longer to come up with both players’ names. Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy rank second and fourth in pass rushing productivity despite little to none of the fanfare that surrounds the likes of Julius Peppers and Mario Williams. If you read PFF you already know how good Johnson is, but what Hardy is doing is starting to rival his line mate. On Sunday he rushed from an end position 19 times and a tackle position 19 times to total three sacks, four stops and a hurry. Hardy’s versatility and ability to rush the passer as well as stop the run from any of the four down-lineman spots is amazing. He made multiple highlight reel plays on the day, and he really seems to be putting everything together in his third year as a pro.